As the Philadelphia Eagles inch closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, speculation continues to swirl around what they’ll do with the 23rd overall pick. If history tells us anything, it’s this. Nothing is guaranteed. Philadelphia has built a reputation for moving up, trading back, and keeping everyone guessing until the card is turned in. Still, patterns begin to emerge as draft day approaches. Two names, in particular, are being mentioned more frequently in connection.
Circle Kadyn Proctor and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren’s names as two prospects the Eagles are seriously considering.
Most of you have heard their names for a while. Kadyn Proctor and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Neither connection feels random. There have been rave reviews, as it’s hard to enjoy two or more days without hearing one of them mentioned in Eagles circles.
Philadelphia met with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at the most recent NFL Combine. The same is true of Proctor. He’s among the top offensive tackle prospects Philly met with. He’s a standout from the Alabama Crimson Tide.
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He fits a mold Philadelphia has trusted for years. This program has long been one of college football’s premier pipelines to the NFL. The Eagles have leaned into that familiarity. Several current players on the roster spent time in Tuscaloosa, reinforcing the idea that the organization values both the talent and the pedigree that comes with that program.
At offensive tackle, the need is real. Depth concerns and long-term questions along the line make Proctor an intriguing option. His size and potential offer exactly the kind of upside teams look for when investing a first-round pick in the trenches. Don’t be shocked if this is the man the Eagles bank on to take the mantle as Lane Johnson’s eventual successor. Then there’s McNeil-Warren, the Toledo Rockets football product who comes from a program that is quietly building a reputation. Suddenly, they’re finding and developing NFL-ready defensive backs. Philadelphia has already tapped into that pipeline with Quinyon Mitchell, and McNeil-Warren could represent a continuation of that trend.
McNeil-Warren and Mitchell are former collegiate teammates, and the safety position remains a position of need. His playmaking ability makes him a logical target if the Eagles choose to address the secondary early. Of course, this is all part of the pre-draft process: connections, visits, and educated guesses. The reality is the Eagles could go in a completely different direction, but as draft night approaches, don’t be surprised if these two names continue to surface.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles may have two preferred targets at pick No. 23 in the NFL draft